An unapologetic marching band against the forces of darkness!

Music Video Nouveau

It only takes watching a few episodes of “Pop-Up Video” (remember that great show?) or “Behind the Music” to learn the jot-notes version of music video history: the art form took shape (and name) in the 1980s, though its origins go back further, and it has seen all kinds of creativity in terms of dance, costume, cinematography, animation, storytelling, etc. ever since.

The art form continues to evolve, and I hereby present two samples as evidence. Awhile ago I made a list of Stop-Motion Favourites that included a few creative and unique music videos, but these two are like nothing that has been done with the art form before.

Just yesterday I learned about Andy Grammer’s new choose-your-own-adventure music video (for his song “Keep Your Head Up”) and the concept—which has been covered by Speakeasy and Mashable, among others—delighted me. I suggest you check it out. Also, Rainn Wilson may or may not be involved—and I mean that exactly as I said it.

Then, as if the music video hijinks weren’t over, today I heard about The Johnny Cash Project, hailed as “a unique communal work, a living portrait of the Man in Black”. Basically, each frame of the music video for “Ain’t No Grave” (Johnny Cash’s last studio recording) is a piece of artwork contributed by a different artist. The best part? You can be one of the artists. Visit the website to see the video so far and to use the digital illustration tools to contribute a frame.

I’m happy to see innovation happening with young up-and-comers as well as seasoned veterans.